Vacuum fuel-feed device



June 11, 1929. DIENNER 1,716,371

VACUUM FUEL FEED DEVICE Filed y 1921 s Sheets-Sheet l a 7/ 5 I a o June 11, 1929. J. A. DIENNER VACUUM FUEE FEED DEVICE 'File M y 1921 E 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

flllllllllll! June 11, 1929. 1. A. DI E NNER 7 1,716,371

' VACUUM FUEL FEED DEVICE F led M y 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 3 qywfi.

67 65 f 75 1 69 6 1. 1555: I 8 I 70 V @5 :1

' 1; 1 75 Y 1 i I III/21]] I/: 7/ 76 1. 77

Fatente d June 11, 1929,

uurr rar- JOHN A. DIENNER, or CHICAGO, ILLIi oIs, Assrerron TO STEWART-WARNER? srnno' OMETER CORPORATION, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or VIR INI VACUUM FUEL-FEED DEVICE.

Application filed May 2, 1921. Serial No; 466,248.

My invention relates to vacuum fuel feed devices, and contemplates an improved apparatus which may be employed in connection with any internal combustion engine.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide a feed devicehaving power or'motor operated valves, whereby positive and reliable action of the valves is obtained.

To supply fuel to a carbureter from a de vice that is operated by suction and controlled by valves is broadly a matter of prior art. The apparatuses heretofore known and used were, however, subject to inherent dif ficulties, due to the fact that the valves regulating the flow ofthe fuel into'and out of such devices were float operated. It is a matter of common experi ncethat float op .erated valves are uncertain in their movement, because of'the relatively small differenee in specific gravity between a float and the usual liquids employed. In addition, a float operated .valve must have a float of considerable volume, and this volume substantially diminishes the capacity of th device as a liquid container.

A further object of my invention is to provide a feed device of a relativelyhigh volumetric eiiiciency. Floatvalves, aside from limiting thecapacity of a deviceas a container, as mentioned above, require'for successful operation predetermined upper and lower levels,'.w-hich levels necessarily lie at a considerable distance below the top and above the bottom, respectively, of the container, on account ofthe-large size of the floats. :As a result of this, their volumetric efficiency is relatively low. My invention provides a device which permits practically complete filling of the device before the process of evacuation starts, and a relatively complete evacuation for each cycle of op eration of the valves.

A. further object of my invention is to provide a device of simple construction, and

.- easily accessible for repairs, if necessary.

My inventlon is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of,

the preferred embodiment of my invention; Figure 2 1s a sect1onaly1ew along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View of an alternative embodiment of my invention Figure 4 isa plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3;

modification. 9

partment l0 at certain times cut off by'tle 22. '31 permitting motion about pin 32., The

Figure 5 is an elevational' view ofthe top l of the device shown in- Figure 3 ;v V

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional View of'a Figure 7 is a similar view of. another modification; and v u e 8 is an enlarged detailed V ew ff the-liquid valve. v

Referring to the drawings, 10 of Figure 1 indicates the upper compartment of the feeding device, and 11 the lower compartment of same. The compartment 10 is connected with the intake'of the engine by the suction pipe 12, through the bellows ormulti-diaphragm motor 13,andsleeve.1 4. Slots 15 in the sleeve 14 andport 5 8 permit en trance of the air and liquid into the sleeve,1 p and the rising and fallingof the ,ball or float valve 16 with the-level of the; liquid.

. Links17,18, 19and21, and fulcrum 20,

constitute 'a leverage system foroperating valves 22 and 23 through movement of sleeve 14 and bellows or motor 13. An auxiliary or control passageway in the form of apipe 24 connects the motor 13 with the upper compartment 10, and with the suction pipe The connection of pipe *24"with;eon1- valve '25, which is operated by the float126 I and stem 27 through the guides 28. q The. lower end of stem 19 hasa slot 29 permit-j ting'motion between the pin 30 and the lever 18. The purpose of this lost motion is-to permit valve 23 to seat by gr avitywhen the downward movement of arm 18 closes valve The upperfe'nd of piece 21 has a slot" purpose of this is to permit'the motor, 13 to open the valve 23 ahead of the valve l ne suction'p'ipe. 33'connects the compartment 10 with the supply tank '34. A vent pipe 35- maintains atmospheric pressure in the lower compartment 11, and pipe 36icarries the liquid by gravity from compartment 11 to the float chamber of the carbureter,

The operationof the preferred. embodi e and 23 are closed by the weight of the; arm* 18 and by gravity, respectively, and -the difference inpressure between the inside-of the chamber and the outside atmosphere tends to holdthese valves i'irmly to their seats. Liquid rises from the tank 34 through the pipe 33 and flows into the the float 16 rises tocloseoff the port 58.

Thereupon, continuation of suction. causes the motor 13 to contract, due to greater prescharge of the liquid contents.

sure prevailing in thech-amber 10 than in the interior-of the motor, with the result that the valve 23 is first torcedirom its seat to admit atmosphere, and then the valve 22 is forced from its seat to permit the dis- The motor '13 is made of sufficient effective area to open invariably the valve-23 against atmospheric pressuref Assoon as the valve 23 begins, to

move from its seat, the entry of air into the chamber10 accelerates the movement of the motor 13. The valve23 is preferably provided with a yieldingface, as are also the valves 25 and. 22.

1 Thereupon, the liquid ,is discharged by' gravity past the open valve 22 until low level is reached, whereupon the float 26 pulls V the valve 25 away from its seatagainst the pressure of the atmosphere, which tends normally to hold it tight, permitting an'in' rush of air into the motor 13, thereby breale "ing the vacuum,permitting the ball-valve 16 to drop from its seat 58, and the valves 22 and 23' to be closed by dropping ofthe lever arm 18 and the motor 13. The device is'then in condition for repeated operation.

It will be noticed that the connections or" v the valves'22- and 23 with thelever 18 provide lost motion whereby the valve 23' may be first opened, and thereafterthe valve 22 is opened. Y V

It is evident that this nvention prov des a device WlllClL works automatically and I positively through valves actuated by a motor, and that the level controlled valves op- ,jerate only. as controls for the motor valve, whereby reliable and positive movement of the valves is 0btained,1 combined with a maximum degree of volumetric efficiency.

'Inthe alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the upper-compartment 7' .or cage 42 containsa floating ball'valve 43 137 is connected withthe'lower compartment through the flap .valve 39, and with the engine through suction pipe the port 5910f motor 41, and the guide 42.j The guide and has slots 44 in its walls for the admission of .air and of liquid. The cover '45 has a bridge 46 which holds the motor 41 in place, andcontains a cored'control passageway. 47 from the motor 41 to valve in the upper compartment 37. The valve/l8 at the upper end of the guide 42 rests upon the adjacent edges of the disc 49 forming therei with a valve and seat arrangement. The

disc 49 contains an opening 46 in which the guide 42 itself is guided, and is permitted to move to'open valve 48 when actuated by the bellows or motor 41. Z f

The cored inlet 47 is at certain times shut off from connection with the upper compartment 37 by a valve 50 which is actuated by a float 51 througha sten'rheld in the guides 53. The "feed pipe 54 connects the upper compartment 37 with a storage tank for-the liquid. 7 The supply pipe 5(Sfconnecl1s the lower compartment 38 with the carburotor. The vent pipe 57 maintains the lower compartment 38 at atmospheric pressure.

"The operairionoil the alternative embodi-H ment oi my device illustrated in Figures 3, f

4 and isas follows Y Operation oithe engine creates. a vacuum in the pipe 40, and since the valves '39 and i 48 are closed,this vacuum is effective, in the.

motor 41, the upper compartment 37 and the pipe 54 leading to the'supply tank, causing flow oi the liquid from the supply tank mto the upper compartment 37. As soon as the liquidrises above low level the valve 50 is closed. As the level of the liquid appro'achesthe top. of the compartment, the ball'43 in the guide 42 is raised to a point where it shuts off the opening 59 connect ing the motor 41 withtheguide 42. There uponthe motor .41 is subjected to suction causing it to shorten and liftiwith it the guide 42, opening the valve 48 against'theforce of suction tending to hold fit-on its seat, permitting the atmosphere toenter the compartment 37 between the valve 48 and the seat on the disc 49. Since boththe com partments 37 and 38 are at atmosphericpressure, gravity will cause the liquid to flow past the flap valve 39 into the compartment 38 until the level of the liquid islowered to the point where the float 51 opens the valve 50.

The opening of the valve 50 restores atmospheric pressure'in the by-pass 47 and the motor 41, permitting the latter to expand and carry with it the guide 42 carrying the valve 48 to its seaton the disc 49,.

and again closing the compartment 37 to atmospheric pressure, thus completing :the' cycle with the-dropping of the ball '43 to the bottom of the cage. The valve 48 has ait to form a-tight yieldingse'at permitting seat.

This

embodiment of my deviceoffers I -71 mounted upon a bridge 72, whichsame advantages as the preferred embodiment, viz, volumetric eiticiency, and cortainty and positiveness of valve action.

In Figure 6 T haveshown a modification,

in which a common valve stem 62 moves bridge also serves as'a clamping ring for clamping the diaphragm 65 over the top the chamber 66. A spring 73 tends to raise the stem 62 and associated parts to close the passageway 69 by means of the yielding face oi the valve 71. The tube 68 joins the stem 62, noon. which stem is mounted the liquid disch; rests against a shoulder tori ed by the guiding wings 75 on the lower endot the stem being passed against said shoulder by means of a spring 76, lying between said-valve and a collar 77. In order to secure a tight oint at both the valves6el and 71, it is advisable to have one of the valves relatively movable with respect to the other or to the stem, so that slight inequalities in construction will not prevent both valves from seating.

Hence, instead of having the liquid discharge valve 64 movable with respect to the stem 62, I may mount the atmospheric inlet 71 on a spring mounting, so as to permit play between the air admission valve and its co-operating seat 63.

The chamber 66 is in constant communication with a source of suction by way oi? the pipe 12, and this chamber has two outnamely, the valve port 78 and the valve port 79. The valve port 78 has a cage 80 secur d thereto for a floating valve 81, in this case shown as a floating ball. The form lets.

of the'valve 81 may be varied; a cylindrical shape would serve equally well. Thevalve 81 is adapted to be brought against the valve seat 78 upon the occurrence of high level conditions in the pumping chamber 70. A low level controlled valve 82 is adapted to en-.

e the seat 9 to close off the correspondthrough the pipe 33. This valve is connected by a stem 83'to a low level float 84,

which float is adapted to open the valve 82 when the pumping chamber is substantially empty of liquid. form of the device is as follows :Assuming valve 64. The valve 6% when open passageway, upon the inflow of liquid oration.

The operation of this;

thatthe pipe 12 is connected to the intake manifold of the engine, and the pipe 33 to the fuel tank 34;, and that the pumping chamber .70 is substantially empty, both valves 71 and 64 will be closed because of the action of the spring 73. The valves 81 and 82 will be opened, because they are not supported by liquid. The action of suction through the pipe 12 is to cause the discharge 7 of liquid trough the pipe 33 until the float 84: raised sufiiciently to close the valve 82. This, however,- does not affect the action of suction on the chamber 70', since air isstill free to flow therefrom through the passages way 78, chamber 66, passageway 85 and pipe- 12. As soon as the levelrises=to the point where the float valve 81--is floated to. seat,

a further movement of air from the pumping chamber is prevented. ,The'reupon,-.the suction in the chamber .66 becomes greater than the suction ,in the chamber 70, due. to two factors, namely, the inflow ot liquid through the pipe 33, and the outflow of air from the chamber 66. The result/is that atmosphere, presenton top of the (liaphragm65, exerts .a pressure great enoughto forcethe valve seat 63 away from the-valve 71, opening the passageway 69' to atmosphere; Further downward movement of the stem 62 causes the shoulder. below the enlargement 75 to engage the valve 64 andthrust it away from its scat, thereby permitting the liquid to discharge into thereceiving tankll. This flow occurs quickly, due=to the free entry of atmosphere through the-passageway 69 and openings 86, and the tree passage of liquidpast the openvalve 64.

The diaphragm 65 remains in its deflected position until the suct on 1n the chamber 66 is relieved or broken. I have shown the tube 68 as passing through the bottom wall.

of the chamber 66, with a fairly close fit,

and without packing. If desired a seal may be maintained at this fit, but absolute tightness is not essential, since the area of the a diaphragm 65 may be made as large as is necessary for the purpose of open ng the valves 71 and 64.

1As soon as the level of the liquid recedes to a point below the flotation center of the float ea, this float; will. open the valve 82, permitting an inrush of atmosphere to break the vacuum in the chamber. 66, whereits seat, and the stem 62, with its. connected valves 63 and 64,, arises, closing the correiio upon the ball-valve 81 drops by gravity from spending valves/for the next pumping op-V v In Figures 7 and .8 I have illustrated a modified form of device in which noatmos- .phezc'e admission valve is provided. A In this case the liquid valve 88 opens and permits,

both the liquid v to discharge and atmosphere to enter. This is permissible because of the 7 2O mosphere, a valve controlling the opening,

clear of the'valve seat 93. I believe that the operation of this form of mydevice is clear from-the description of operation given in connection with Figure 6. p

I do not intend 'to-limit the invention to the precisedetails-described and illustrated.

I claim: 1

1. In :a liquid elevator operating by the pressure'of an elastic fluid, a chamber having an opening communicating With the atsaid valve being held to seat when the chamber is under reduced pressure, a motor for controlling said valve, and a valve for controlling the application of reduced pressure to the motor. v

.2. In a vacuum pumping device including apum'ping chamber with an air inlet and a liquid dischargeport, two suction nlet-s wlth valve means therefor including two rela tively small'fioat devices positioned respectively in the, upper and lower portions of said chamber, said devices-operating to close the respective suction inlets by the buoyant action ofthe liquid, the float in the lower.

part of the chamber being designed to act as a Weight to open its suction inlet as the liquid reaches loW level.

In a'vacuum pumping device a pumping chamber With an air inlet valve adapted to be held closed by vacuum in the chamber,

a suction port for the chamber; a suction operated motor connected for opening said air valve, a relatively small float device in the upper part of the chamber arranged to cut or? the suction from the chamber and apply it to'the motor as the liquid reaches high level, and a second suction port With a second relatively small float device operable by theliquid as it reaches low level for restoring suction 1n the chamber.. I

LI-11 a vacuum pumping device, a pump ing chamber, an air inlet valve and a liquid' discharge valve therefor, both adapted to be 4 held closed by vacuum in the pumping chamher, a suction port in the chamber, a suctionoperated motor connected for opening said air valve and discharge valve, a relatively small float-device in the upper part of the chamber a ranged to cut off the suction from the chamber and apply it to the motor as the tion port with a relatively small float deliquid reaches high level, and a second suc-' vice disposed in the lower-part of the chamher, operable for opening said'port and re-J storing the suction as the liquid reaches loW level.

, -In. Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 1y name this 6th day of April, 1921.

- JOHNYA. DIENNER, 

